Mt. Baker a power plant???

I came across this article. I'm baffled that this could even be considered. Has anyone else heard about this? This has got to be stopped. Im sure if the power plant leases the land it will no longer be available to the people.


www.bellinghamherald.com/northwest/story/304727.html

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews...html?syndication=rss

That's pretty short on details - doesn't even say where on Mt Baker it is.

A more complete story:

www.goskagit.com/index.php/news/article/...ergy_in_mount_baker/

Excerpt:
"While construction of many of these proposed power plants is at least a decade away, the plants have become increasingly viable because of laws in Washington, Oregon, California and other Western states requiring portions of each state’s power load to come from clean energy sources.
End Excerpt

More links:

www.geo-energy.org/information/developin...ngton/Mt%20Baker.asp
www.vulcanpower.com/html/geothermal.htm
northofthehotzone.com/category/wa-state/page/2/

So, is power such as this a good thing, or is it better to stick with burning oil and gas obtained far from Mount Baker? Say, from Iraq and Iran?

In my opinion NO. Drilling into Mt. baker to provide power for 100,000 people doesnt seem like the answer to are current energy problems. Im pretty sure if we try hard enough we can come up with a better solution. If were going to come up with an energy that replaces oil, its will need to provide for more than 100,000.

I believe most of the world's oil comes from Saudi Arabi. Not Iraq or Iran. Probably why we have left them alone.

Here's a fairly thorough article.

www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/260687.html

The Vulcan power execs say there is a better than 80 percent chance the plant will be built (there is a comment that this may be overly optimistic).

The article also indicates that there are likely many sites in Washington that would be good for geothermal energy. It specifically mentions, a "rough triangle from Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams to Mount Hood."

The area around Baker Lake is already full of clearcuts - seems like a power plant with "minimal lighting, along with natural rock, soil and vegetation on the sides and roof of each facility to blend it with the surrounding landscape" isn't the end of the world.